Guruvayur Temple is a pilgrim center which has stood up with glory and strength, due to the divinity enshrined in the Sanctum - Sanctorum (central shrine) of Sri Guruvayur temple and the unique charm of the idol installed in it (Guruvayoorappan). Guruvayoor appan of the Guruvayoor temple is not just a deity, but is part of a spiritual culture of the whole Keralites, irrespective of caste or creed.

The presiding deity in the Garbhagraha or the central shrine at Guruvayoor temple is that of Sri Mahavishnu (Guruvayur appan), worshipped as per the pooja procedures laid down by Adi Sankaracharya and later written in to the Tantrasamuchaya by Chennas Narayanan Namboodiri (born in 1427). Chennas Namboodiris are the authorized hereditary Tantris of Guruvayur temple. The people at large, however, invoke the Lord as Unnikrishna or Balakrishna. According to the legends, the idol worshipped at Guruvayur temple is more than 5000 years old.

Ekadasi Festival of Guruvayoor temple ( November - December)

Ekadasi, the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight. This day is very auspicious to the Hindus. In Guruvayur temple, out of the 24 Ekadasis , the Vrishchika Ekadasi (Suklapaksha) has got special significance. It falls in the auspicious Mandala season. The Navami (9th day) and Dasami (10th day) are also very important at Guruvayoor Temple. Ekadasi Vilakku is yet another attraction at Guruvayoor temple. On Navami day, the Vilakku is lit with ghee as an offering by Kolady family of Guruvayur.

A highlight of the Ekadasi is the memorial honour for Gajarajan Kesavan of Guruvayoor Temple. The Karanavar or head of the elephant family at Guruvayoor temple places a garland at the statue of Kesavan in front of Sreevalsam guest house at Guruvayur and all the other elephants stand around and pay obeisance.

Chembai music festival, the renowned carnatic music festival of south India , held at Guruvayoor temple every year attracts huge crowds to the temple. Musicians from allover India take part in the annual music fete. This festival held at guruvayoor temple is one among the most renowned carnatic music festivals held in kerala. A candidate who wish to take part in this musical fete held at Guruvayoor temple is permitted to perform only after proving their expertise. Also the song should be of traditional carnatic style and the piece to be rendered is also selected by the Guruvayoor Temple administration (Devaswom) . How ever the candidates can provide a few suggestions from which the Guruvayoor temple devaswom withh finalise a piece.

Chembai Sangeetholsavam at Guruvayoor temple

The famous Chembai Sangeetholsavam (carnatic music festival) will be conducted in November. Application form for participating in the music festival is available at the Devaswom office from July . Application form can also be down loaded from the Guruvayoor temple Devaswom webiste www.guruvayurdevaswom.com.

Only Hindus are permitted to participate in the music festival. Those below the age of 10 years are not eligible to apply. The applicant should have at least 3 years training in Carnatic music.

This year's Chembai Snageetholsavam started on 13th November 2009 and the 15 day music festival named after the great carnatic music Maestro, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagawathar will conclude on Ekadasi day. Chembai Sangeetholsavam is expected to attract carnatic music enthusiasts in the coming days to Guruvayur Temple. The daily schedule of Chembai Sangeetholsavam starts at 5 am and will extend to late mid night. Main concerts of the Chembai Sangeetholsavam, on the last four dayswill be broadcasted by Doordarshan and All India Radio. This year Ekadashi is on 28th November. The Chembai Sngeetholsavam will also conclude on the same day.

Guruvayoor temple got a prominent positioning in the media due to call from many parts and sects to renovate and modernize the rules binding darshan procedures at Guruvayoor Temple . Recently, the court has permitted ladies to enter the temple wearing churidar. Still many devotees feel it improper to enter the temple in such attires and prefer to wear traditional attires. Earlier churidar was not allowed inside the nalambalam of Guruvayur temple. Even now non Hindus are not allowed to enter the Guruvayoor Temple . Still many non Hindus who belong to Christian and Muslim Sects are eagerly waiting to have the darshan of Lord Guruvayoor Appan.